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PIB’S BULLETIN ON COVID-19
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Active Caseload slips below 2 Lakhs after 6 Months and 24 Days; India registers one of the lowest daily new confirmed COVID19 cases per million population in the last 7 days; A total of 6,74,835 beneficiaries vaccinated, 2,20,786 people vaccinated across 3,860 sessions in the last 24 hours
India accomplished a significant achievement today. The total Active Caseload has fallen below the 2-lakh mark today to 1,97,201. This number translates to just 1.86%of total cases. This is the lowest after 207 days. The total active cases were 1,97,387 on 27thJune, 2020. 16,988 cases have recovered and discharged in the last 24 hours. This has led to a net decline of 3327 from the total active caseload. 72% of these active cases are concentrated in just 5 States. 34 States and UTs have less than 10,000 active cases. India’s daily new cases are on a steady decline which has also contributed to the shrinkage in Active Caseload. Globally, India has one of the lowest daily new confirmed COVID19 cases per million population in the last 7 days. As on 20th January, 2021, till 7 AM, a total of 6,74,835 beneficiaries have received the vaccination. In the last 24 hours, 2,20,786 people were vaccinated across 3,860 sessions. 11,720 sessions have been conducted so far. The Total Recovered Cases stand at 1.02 cr . The total recovered cases have crossed the Active caseload by one crore a few days ago. The gap presently stands at 10,048,540 today. The Recovery Rate has improved to 96.70% today. This difference is continuously growing as the recoveries outpace the daily new cases.80.43% of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in 10 States/UTs.Maharashtrahas reported the maximum number of single day recoveries with 4,516 newly recovered cases. 4,296 people recovered in Kerala followed by 807 in Karnataka.79.2% of the new cases are concentrated in seven States and UTs.Kerala reported the highest daily new cases at 6,186. It is followed by Maharashtra with 2,294 new cases.There is also a steady decline in the number of daily fatalities which stands at 162 today.
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Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare rushes a multi-disciplinary team to assist Lakshadweep Administration in COVID-19 management
The Union Territory of Lakshadweep has reported its first ever case of COVID-19 on 18.01.2021. The index case is a traveler who had come to Lakshadweep from Kochi in Kerala on 4th January 2021 by a ship. The case had reported to hospital with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 and was tested positive. Initially 31 primary contacts of the index case have been traced and quarantined of which 14 have now been found to be positive and have been isolated. 56 contacts of positive cases detected so far have also been traced and quarantined. The UT Administration has initiated disinfection procedures and intensive risk-communication activity has been operationalized. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has rushed a Central multi-disciplinary team to Lakshadweep. The team comprises of experts drawn from Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry; National Institute of Virology, Pune and Regional Office of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The team shall assist UT Administration in COVID-19 containment activities.
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Leaders from neighborhood greet PM and Government of India for successful launch of vaccination drive against COVID-19
Leaders from neighboring countries have greeted the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and Indian Government for successful launch of vaccination drive against COVID-19 on 16th January 2021. In a tweet, the President of Sri Lanka Shri Gotabaya Rajapaksa said “My heartiest congratulations to Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi on the successful roll out of the #COVID19 vaccine & his generosity towards friendly neighboring countries.” In a tweet, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Shri Mahinda Rajapaksa said “Congratulations PM @narendramodi and the Government of India on taking this very important step with this massive #COVID19 Vaccination drive. We are starting to see the beginning of the end to this devastating pandemic.” In a tweet, the President of the Republic of Maldives Shri Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said “Congratulations to PM @narendramodi and the Indian government for its landmark program to vaccinate India’s population against COVID-19. I’m highly confident that you’ll be successful in this endeavor and that we are finally seeing an end to the COVID-19 scourge.” In a tweet, the Prime Minister of Bhutan Dr.Lotay Tshering Said “I would like to congratulate PM @narendramodi and the people of India for the landmark launch of nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive today. We hope it comes as an answer to pacify all the sufferings we have endured this pandemic.”
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COVID-19 Vaccination, India begins World’s Largest Vaccination Drive
Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare chose to be with doctors, nurses and other healthcare and frontline workers at AIIMS, New Delhi on the momentous day when the Prime Minister launched the world’s largest COVID-19 vaccination drive on Saturday. He applauded their selfless devotion and commitment to the nation’s fight against COVID-19, as the a sanitation worker Shri Manish Kumar became the first recipient of the vaccination drive at AIIMS, New Delhi. Describing the exercise as the start of the climax of the pandemic that started a year before, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said, “The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been personally involved in the management of the pandemic since the start. Today marks the culmination of five months’ hard work on rolling out the COVID vaccines.”The Health Minister added that efficient teamwork and staunch political commitment formed the bedrock of this massive exercise. “The Prime Minister and all the Chief Ministers along with my fellow colleague Health Ministers have worked as a team and made history today”, he said.
Dr. Harsh Vardhan interacts with the Health Ministers of States/UTs to review the First Day of World’s largest Vaccination Program
Dr.Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare on Saturday interacted with the Health Ministers and Principal Secretaries/ Additional Chief Secretaries of the States and Union Territories to review the vaccination drive through a video conference. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the COVID-19 vaccination drive today at 10:30 AM via video conferencing.This is the world’s largest vaccination program covering entire length and breadth of the country. At the outset, Dr. Harsh Vardhan thanked his state counterparts for their commitment and personal indulgence in leading the vaccination drive. The Union Ministercongratulated the health ministers on the successful launch of world’s largest vaccination drive. He said, “Today is a very important day for us. The vaccination drive, for which preparations were being done from the last five months under the unwavering and dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri NarendraModi ji has finally started. We have got encouraging and satisfactory feedback results on the first day. This indicates that we are moving towards victory in the fight against Coronavirus.” The State Health ministers and Secretaries apprised the Union Health Minister on the progress and the target achieved on the first day of the vaccination. They also shared the minor technical glitcheson the software such as uploading the details of beneficiaries were noted during the vaccination.The Minister was informed that people showed appreciation and confidence in the vaccine throughout the country.
PM Launches pan India rollout of COVID-19 vaccination drive, Indian response to corona is one of self-confidence and self-reliance
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modilaunched the pan India rollout of COVID-19 vaccination drive via video conferencing on Saturday. This is the world’s largest vaccination program covering the entire length and breadth of the country. A total of 3006 session sites across all States and UTs were virtually connected during the launch.The Prime Minister started his speech by paying compliments to the scientists who were associated with the development of the vaccines. He said, usually it takes years to prepare a vaccine but here, in such a short time, not one but two made-in-India vaccine were launched. The Prime Minister cautioned the people to be careful about not missing taking two doses. He said that there will be a gap of one month between the doses. He asked people to keep their guards up even after taking the vaccine as only two weeks after taking the second dose, human body will develop necessary immunity against Corona.The Prime Minister put the unprecedented scale of the vaccination drive in perspective by informing that, in the first round itself, 3 crore people, which is more than population of at least 100 countries of the world, are being vaccinated.
English rendering of PM's address at the launch of Pan-India Rollout of COVID-19 Vaccination Drive
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Those who need the vaccine the most will get it first: PM
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi said that India’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign is based on very humane and important principles. Those who need the vaccine the most will get it first. Those who are at the maximum risk of getting infected will be vaccinated first. He said, our doctors, nurses, hospital sanitation workers and para-medical staff will have the first right to get vaccinated. This priority is available to the medical hospitals in both public and private sectors. The Prime Minister was speaking after launching the pan-India rollout of COVID-19 vaccination drive via video conferencing on Saturday.After the medical staff, the Prime Minister said, the members of essential services, and those responsible for country’s security and law and order will be vaccinated. Our security forces, police personnel, fire brigade, sanitation workers will be given priority.
India is expressing its gratitude to frontline Corona warriors by giving them priority in vaccination: PM
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi praised the selfless strong spirit of the country which has been on full display during the fight against Corona. Speaking after launching the pan-India rollout of COVID-19 vaccination drive via video conferencing Shri Modi said, in the year gone by, Indians learnt and endured a great deal as individuals, family and as a nation. Quoting the great Telugu poet, Gurajada Venkata Apparao, Shri Modi said we should always work selflessly for others. A nation is not just soil, water and stones, but a nation stands for ‘We the People.’ Corona has been fought with this spirit in India, said the Prime Minister.The Prime Minister recalled with sensitivity and empathy the initial feeling of helpless confusion among the people of the country when people could not attend to their near ones when they got infected. He dwelled at length on the contribution of doctors, nurses, para medical staff, ambulance drivers, ASHA workers, sanitation workers, police and other frontline workers who endangered their lives to save other.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout, Dr. Harsh Vardhan reviews preparedness for Nationwide Vaccination Drive
The Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, on Friday reviewed preparations for the launch of the nationwide COVID19 vaccination drive scheduled to begin tomorrow. The Union Minister visited the Dedicated COVID Control Room which has been setup at the Nirman Bhawan premises of the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will flag off the 1st phase of the pan India rollout of COVID-19 vaccination drive tomorrow, 16th January, 2021 at 10:30 AM via video conferencing. This vaccination program will cover the entire length and breadth of the country, with a total of 3006 session sites across all States and UTs which will be connected virtually throughout the exercise. Around 100 beneficiaries will be vaccinated tomorrow at each of the session sites. The vaccination drive has been planned in a phased manner, identifying priority groups. Health Care workers, both in government and private sectors including ICDS  workers, will receive the vaccine during this phase.
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Dr. Harsh Vardhan chairs 148th session of WHO Executive Board
Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare digitally chaired the 148th session of WHO Executive Board, through Video Conference.
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Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, while visiting the Delhi Police Headquarters in New Delhi, paid homage to brave Corona Warriors of Delhi Police who laid down their lives for welfare of society and nation
The Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, while visiting the Delhi Police Headquarters in New Delhi yesterday, paid homage to the brave Corona Warriors of the Delhi Police who laid down their lives for the welfare of society and the nation. On this occasion, Shri Amit Shah honoured the Corona Warriors of Delhi Police and also presented ranks to policemen who were promoted out of turn in recognition of their outstanding work. Short films '2020 ka safar’ and 'Vijaypath - kahani khaki yoddhaonki' were screened on the occasion. The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, Union Home Secretary Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Director of Intelligence Bureau, Shri Arvind Kumar and Delhi Police Commissioner Shri SN Srivastava and many senior officers of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and Delhi Police were present during the function.
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Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah congratulated all the scientists on the historic launch of biggest vaccination drive of the world against COVID-19
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah congratulated all the scientists as the nation is witnessing the historic moment of launch of biggest vaccination drive of the world against Covid19. In a series of tweets, Shri Amit Shah said “under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi India has crossed a crucial stage in the fight against Corona. The world's largest vaccination campaign showcases the immense potential of India's scientists and the power of our leadership.” Shri Amit Shah said “India is one of the few countries which have become successful in the direction of ending the biggest crisis against humanity. Every Indian is proud of this phenomenal achievement.” He added that this is the rise of a new Atmanirbhar Bharat on the global landscape. On this historic day, expressing heartiest gratitude to all Corona warriors Shri Amit Shah said this 'Made in India' vaccine is a proof of the determination of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
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Big Boost for Khadi Artisans with Railway’s Rs 49-crore Purchase Order to KVIC during Covid-19 Lockdown
Khadi activities got a major push during the last year – a year that largely remained affected due to the Covid-19 lockdown - thanks to a huge purchase order worth Rs 48.90 crore from the Indian Railway. While the railways purchased Khadi goods worth Rs 8.48 crore in December 2020 alone, it substantially created employment and income for Khadi artisans during the testing times of Covid-19.The purchase orders from Indian Railways directly benefited artisans registered with 82 Khadi Institutions across the country that are engaged in production of material like sheeting cloth, towels, bed sheet, flag banner, sponge clothes, Dosuti Cotton Khadi, bunting clothes and others.During the period from May 2020 to December 2020 , Indian Railways procured Khadi material worth Rs 48.90 crore which kept Khadi activities going during the pandemic. Interestingly, Indian Railways purchased goods worth Rs 19.80 crore from Khadi in the months of May and June when the economy had taken a severe hit due to lockdown. Similarly, railways procured Khadi goods worth Rs 7.42 crore in July and August while it purchased Khadi products worth Rs 13.01 crore in the months of October and November.KVIC Chairman Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena thanked Hon’ble Railway Minister Shri Piyush Goyal for supporting Khadi artisans by placing large orders to KVIC.
Polio National Immunisation Day rescheduled to 31st January 2021,President of India to launch NID on 30th January 2021
The massive countrywide COVID-19 vaccination drive will be rolled out by Hon’ble Prime Minister from 16th January, 2021. This would be world’s largest immunisation exercise. Therefore, it has been decided by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare  in consultation with the office of the Hon’ble President of India to reschedule the Polio vaccination day, also known as the National Immunisation Day  or “Polio Ravivar” to 31th January 2021 . The Hon’ble President will launch the Polio National Immunisation Day on 30th January 2021  by administering Polio drops to some children at the Rashtrapati Bhawan at 11.45 am.
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Dr. Harsh Vardhan virtually addresses webinar on Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Swatantra Bharat
Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare virtually addressed a webinar organised by Swarjya Magazine on Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Swatantra Bharat and India’s Healthcare Ecosystem in a Post-Covid-World on Thursday. Dr Harsh Vardhan said that Atmanirbhar Bharat has become one of the focal areas of our government, around which all economic policies are being drawn up. Our government is focused on bridging the gap between the rich and the poor and on providing equal opportunity to all citizens. On the subject of turning the COVID crisis into opportunity, Dr Harsh Vardhan said, “ At the time of COVID emergency, Prime Minister said that “India MUST see the COVID-19 pandemic crisis as an opportunity” and focused on 5 fundamental pillars: the economy, technology, Infrastructure, Vibrant Demography, and Demand to create a Self-Reliant India. The high density of population coupled with poor infrastructure posed a big challenge. Understanding the highly infectious nature of the disease and the need to ensure overall healthcare availability across the country, India did a strategic re-purposing of existing health infrastructure to ensure that the health systems providing primary healthcare at grassroots levels were left untouched. With the proactive, preemptive, and graded whole of government, whole of society approach that India followed in managing COVID-19 has been one of the hallmarks of its response.”
Indian Railways participates in the largest Vaccination Drive against COVID 19,
Indian Railways participated in the largest vaccination programme against COVID 19.After the address and inauguration of the largest vaccination drive in history by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, vaccination programme started on Saturday in Northern Railway Central Hospital as a part of national COVID 19 vaccination drive.Dr Sharad C. Khorwal, MD, NRCH took the first shot of covid vaccine to motivate staff. Similarly, at Jabalpur also, MD took the first shot.Total 51 health care workers of Northern Railway Central Hospital were vaccinated with Covishield vaccine. Out of which 28 were males and 23 females.The vaccination drive started in Jabalpur Railway hospital where 73 doctors and paramedics were vaccinated.The next session for vaccination in NRCH is planned on Monday, 18th January 2021.
INPUTS FROM PIB FIELD OFFICES
· Maharashtra: In the first phase of covid-19 preventive vaccination drive in Maharashtra, as many as 14,883 health workers have been vaccinated so far. Dr. Pradeep Vyas, Principal Secretary, Department of Health said there were no serious adverse side effects reported during the vaccination drive. Vaccination drive started in 34 districts and 27 municipal areas in the state on Saturday, with 17,762 vaccinators and 7,85,927 health workers registered on the CoWin portal. In the first phase of this vaccination drive, 52.68 per cent health workers have been vaccinated. In Mumbai, about 1,597 health workers were vaccinated yesterday.
· Gujarat: The second day of the COVID-19 vaccination drive in Gujarat on Tuesday ended without any issues across 161 booths where doctors and healthcare workers, including nurses and paramedical staff, were administered doses of Covishield. A total of 13,274 beneficiaries were inoculated on the first day of the vaccination drive on January 16. The vaccination drive in Gujarat will be undertaken three days in a week in eight municipal corporation areas, and on four days in a week in the rest of the state. The Gujarat government had identified 4.31 lakh beneficiaries in the first phase of vaccination. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Saturday said no case of serious adverse reaction due to administration of a vaccine was reported from anywhere in Gujarat.
· Madhya Pradesh: The trend of declining Covid cases continued in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday with just 304 new cases diagnosed. With this, MP’s overall Covid-19 tally stood at 2,52,186. With seven more people succumbing to the viral infection, the death toll in the state went up to 3,763, according to the state health bulletin. A total 725 patients were discharged from hospitals in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative count of recoveries in MP to 2,42,691.
· Chhattisgarh - Chhattisgarh, more than 10,000 health workers have been vaccinated against Coronavirus. No major adverse event has been reported so far due to the vaccine. On the second day of Covid vaccination in Chhattisgarh, 5280 health workers were vaccinated yesterday. Covid vaccination was conducted at the 97 vaccination centres of the state. Chhattisgarh on Tuesday reported 383 COVID-19 cases and 10 deaths, taking the infection count to 2,94,355 and the toll to 3,575. The number of recoveries reached 2,84,848 after 59 people were discharged from hospitals and 279 completed home isolation, leaving the state with 5,932 active cases.
· Rajasthan: More than 11, 288 health workers were vaccinated in Rajasthan on Tuesday. Maximum 1,0 57 health workers were vaccinated in Capital Jaipur. Project Director- Immunization Dr. Raghuraj Singh said that the vaccination campaign is gaining momentum. He said that no adverse effect on the health of any person has been observed so far. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also reviewed the COVID vaccination programme in the state. He said that more than 73 per cent of health workers got the vaccine on the first day. Chief Minister said that vaccines are completely safe and people should get vaccinated without hesitation.
· Goa: A consignment of 18,000 vaccine doses against COVID-19 reached Goa by a flight from Mumbai today morning and the immunisation drive in the state will resume from Friday. The vaccination process began in the state last Saturday at seven centres, including two private hospitals. Goa Health Services Director Dr Jose D'Sa said the state is adding more facilities, including private hospitals, for the inoculation process. Last week, the state had received a stock of 23,500 vaccine doses, out of which 426 were given to health workers on the first day of the inoculation drive.
· Assam: In Assam, total COVID-19 cases rise to 216887 with 23 new cases on Tuesday, total discharged patients 213081 and 1075 total death. Active cases 1384.
· Nagaland: In Nagaland, 05 new COVID-19 cases detected on Tuesday. Total cases rise to 12066.
· Sikkim: In Sikkim, total COVID-19 cases rise to 6052 with 14 new cases on Tuesday. Total death 131.
· Kerala: The second batch of the COVID-19 vaccine arrived at Cochin International Airport Limited  this morning. A GoAir flight carrying 22 boxes of vaccine landed at Kochi airport carrying 3,60,500 doses of vaccines. Each box contains 9500 doses of vaccines 12 boxes of the consignment are allotted for Ernakulam district and nine boxes will be sent to Kozhikode. One box is meant for Lakshadweep. The box containing vaccine for Lakshadweep was ramp transferred to a Pawan Hans which departed for the Island immediately. Meanwhile, vaccination drive continued for the fourth day in the state. So far 24,501 health workers have been vaccinated. Ernakulam, being the district with the most number of health workers registered for the shots, has vaccinated 1854 health workers till date. The government has decided to intensify the vaccination drive in view of the Centre's criticism of the slow pace. Directions have been given to the officials in charge at the centres to make necessary arrangements including setting up vaccination booths in the identified centres.
.Tamil Nadu: As on date, Tamil Nadu recorded 831866 total cases, 12,281 deaths, 5487 Active cases and 814098 discharges.
· Karnataka: As on date, Karnataka recorded 933077 total cases, 12,181 deaths, 7865 Active cases and 913012 discharges
· Andhra Pradesh: As on date, Andhra Pradesh recorded 913350 total cases, 7142 deaths, 1660 Active cases and 874548 discharges
· Telangana: The Covid-19 vaccination programme began on 16th of this month in Telangana. The vaccination was started in 140 centres in the state after the formal launching of the programme by the PM virtually. On the first day, out of 4296 people registered for vaccination for the day, a total of 3962 were administered vaccine on the first day in 140 Vaccination Centres throughout the state. Governor SmtTamilisaiSoundararajan launched the vaccination at the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences , Hyderabad. In Gandhi Hospital, Hyderabad the vaccination was formally launched by the Union Minster of State for Home Affairs Shri G.Kishan Reddy and State Health Minister Shri EetalaRajender. On the second day of the vaccination drive i.e. on 18th January , a total of 13,666 pre-registered health staff and sanitation workers were given vaccine in 335 Vaccination Centres. As many as 15 cases of minor reactions were reported on the second day. On the third day of Covid vaccination , a total of 51,997 health workers were administered Covid vaccine in 894 Vaccination Centres across the state and as many as 51 cases of minor reactions were reported. Now, the TOTAL number of persons vaccinated in the state stands at 69,625. A total of 3.48 lakh more doses of COVISHIELD vaccine reached Hyderabad on Tuesday. The vaccination for health staff including doctors working in private hospitals in the state will start from 25th of this month. The Union Health Ministry appreciated the State Health authorities for conducting the Covid vaccination programme smoothly and a greater number of health staff coming forward to get vaccines. Instead of Covidvaccination, today , regular vaccination programme is going on in the state.  and routine immunization will go on for two days in a week i.e. on Wednesday and Saturday).
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